Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 2, 2014

Race 1

Unusual Fleet

Makes his dirt debut today after 2 fades; the latest when sent today's-Mile distance; adds blinkers for the 1st time trying to help carry that gate speed longer; today is 2nd-time Long which is often an improvement angle; high-percentage turf-to-dirt trainer gives hope he can go all the way here.

Oh Billy Billy

6-5 odds in the career debut but had noting left after pressing the pace; the added 2F in distance and Unusual Fleet gunning for the lead likely compromises his win hopes; some runners improve 2nd-time out a 27%-win move from his trainer; dam finished 3rd in the only dirt-route race of her career.

Electric Eddie

Gets a great stalking setup today saving ground behind an Unusual Fleet-Oh Billy Bill pace battle; returns to SA dirt where stakes placed 3-back beating the show runner who won a 100K-event next out; exits 3 straight stakes now back in with winless maidens this is a massive-class drop; exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when badly overmatched facing Grade 1 rivals; the pick.

Reps and Warrants

Liikely presses Oh Billy Billy-Unusual Fleet to the lead; not a great sign that his 1st race on SA dirt represents a career-low Beyer; lacked stamina 2 back which is why today's Mile distance is a huge issue; view as a pace presence for part.

Pyrotechnics

2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle; broke slowly from the gate in the turf debut; heads back to dirt after 8th-place finishes on 3 different surfaces to commence career; his best Beyer occurred on grass; good-4F workout at SA for this for a high-percentage turf-to-dirt trainer.

Bodrum

Style suggested he wanted to go long but lacked the finishing kick with 1st blinkers and 1st time traveling today's Mile distance; the 2-back runner-up finisher graduated next out in a BHP-MSW race with a 74 Beyer; the lightest of his 3 Beyers was in his conventional-dirt unveiling. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Sallyana

Has rated to win in the past and will likely have that same type of trip today with Socialbug and Zia Zia Zia both expected to fly out of the gate; 8 weeks since going gate-to-wire on a synthetic surface posting a career-best Beyer speed figure; races for a high-percentage fresh trainer; her last-dirt start was a win but for a fraction of today's-claiming price so will have to pass another class test.

Zia Zia Zia

Is a head away from being 2-for-2 on SA dirt; beat winners on turf at today's 6F distance however the final yards here are the concern; the winner and show finishers from last Beyered 93-92 in next-out SA-Grade 3 stakes and optional-claiming wins; she beat the 9th-place finisher from last a ZIA-300K next-out stakes winner (91 Beyer).

Scherzinger

Late runner seems to own the right style to win this with Socialbug and the 1st two posts all likely to show gate speed; 53 days since posting a career-low Beyer in her turf debut however all 3 dirt starts have been rock solid; beat the 3-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 84 in a next-out-SA-MSW win.

Socialbug

Projects to own the best speed speed but has to beat both Sallyana and Zia Zia Zia out of the blocks with something to prove on dirt off a career-low Beyer in her main-track debut; beat the runner-up finisher 2-back who Beyered 84 in a next-out SA-alw. victory.

Caraquista

Graduated at longer on dirt but finished last in her most-recent dirt-stakes start in March; exits a career-best Beyer when rallying strongly at today's distance in her synthetic-surface debut; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 74 in a next-out BHP-OPC win. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Soul Saver

Respectable effort last time out from this same tricky post; the problem today is the lack of a strong pace and that may compromise this five-year-old's chances of finally escaping these ranks; latest blowout was strong, however.

Little Ez

Nowhere in that first run in September while wide; the gelding's sire was zero for 2 lifetime while the dam involved was unraced; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; fair half-mile drill the other morning.

Tasha's Courage

Encountered some trouble in his unveiling but never got into the race; his sire is the mighty Medaglia d'Oro who banked 5.75 million including multiple G1 scores; the dam went 3 for 11 earning 398K; this is her only foal to start.

Perfectly Legal

Newcomer was sired by Breeders' Cup Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect who amassed 7.78 million and whose progeny have won 9 percent of their debuts; the dam went 1 for 7 earning 36K; winning sibs include 25K earner Dixie Minister.

Awesome Kite

Sheds the blinkers today and did have to deal with a horrendous post position in the last encounter; has shown no real firepower though regardless of the course or distance; cannot be given any serious recommendation.

Best Ransom

Failed to recover from a slow break in his maiden voyage of long ago; his sire won 4 of 20 starts and 254K; the dam won 2 of 10 and 10K; among the winning siblings is 75K earner Cat Lady.

Senor Pegasus

Raced evenly in his comeback race, a commendable effort considering the bulky field; has better early speed and prompting ability than most of his foes today and should be an immediate presence; obvious true contender.

Smooth Bay

Among the missing first time out but today's equipment change can help matters; his sire won a G3 and 402K while the dam was unraced; this is her sole foal to make it to the races; average gate work turned in recently. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Kid Rollins

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam was winless from 13 starts, including eight turf starts; although against maiden claimers, her career debut can be viewed in a positive light, and this is a barn that is very capable of having one ready for better with a move to turf; that said, she does appear to be the 'B' horse in here for the Proctor barn.

Majestic Minister

Majestic Warrior has been a poor influence as a turf sire but this filly has run well in a couple of her turf attempts and not willing to count out the possibility of her filling out a spot underneath in the exotics.

Laria

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she showed us that she has ability to work with in her career debut and her connections aren't wasting much time in getting her over turf; she has a live look to her at second asking with the addition of blinkers.

Lakota Road

Her three starts over turf haven't been bad performances but she was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing and she's going to need to dial up a sharper run to get the better of this field.

One Time Only

All three of her turf starts have been quality ones and the 79 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort is the best last race figure in this field; add in a sharp turf barn and a top rider, and there's plenty to be positive about in this direction.

Shrilanka

Stakes placed filly ran well in her first three career starts, even with a long layoff in play, and not going to be surprised to see her bounce back with a better showing after being given a little more time off; runner up from latest won next out at BHP on 12/5 going 1m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 79 Beyer.

Belonging

Lightly raced 5-year-old hasn't run a bad race to date and she's been particularly good in her two most recent starts since being placed over turf; feel that she merits her share of consideration in this spot.

Dreamy Blues

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and dam won two of 10 starts for 44k, and she didn't make a turf start; turf is a question, but her pedigree suggests that distance won't bother her, and she clearly has some ability to work with. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

E Equalsmcsquared

This is her easiest placement since coming from Texas; she has trained solidly here and could see her sitting a stalk and pounce trip; a repeat of the Anoakia performance would put her in the smack middle of the picture; respect.

Monstro Ness

Miss got the confidence at Pomona and parlayed that form to the last victory; she has been given time since last instead of chasing the Hollywood Park meet; the way she extended in last suggests she ll take to this trip; can't ignore.

Senza Fina

Educated on grass, she dropped in for the money run with the move to Steiner; remember that maneuver for future reference; show horse in the maiden breaker graduated in a maiden $30K claimer with a 68 Beyer; she has a right to have a useful career as kin to an over $200K earner; may need experience vs. winners.

A P Pepper

Three solid races considering the winner was by herself two back; Lewis doesn't go to the claim box all that often so just the fact he took her could be a wake up call; much more energy opening up the presents on Christmas with the :47 and change spin; interesting.

Swissarella

Proved she could take the heat of a speed duel and still live to tell about it; overmatched the other time in Arcadia and she was troubled that day to boot; may find the waters a tad too steep first time vs. winners.

In Dad's Honor

Off slow, wide, then the dropped worked to perfection; show horse in last graduated beating maiden $50K seller next out with a 51 Beyer; there seems to be plenty of speed in here to promote the late kick; look for rider to try to get her to settle, then make the one run.

Susans Express

Only one poor effort and it's never a simple chore first time vs. winners; show horse 10/31 won next out in a MSW, then ran out of the money; needs very best.

Tribal Yodeler

Nice ride by the bug last time; the foresight was there to open up and there was just enough gas in the tank; drawn right and runner has the several local works; back pretty quickly, not sure that is the best thing to do at this point in time. - Brian Mulligan

Race 7

My Best Brother

It might be worth noting the presence of Garcia aboard another in here, but this G2 winner loses nothing with Bejarano, and he's capable of putting in a sharp mile over turf on his best day; leaning toward others for the top spot, but certainly not going to be surprised if he runs well against these.

Longview Drive

Multiple stakes winner has run well at today's distance in the past, but he's yet to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf, and this is a tough group for him to be meeting up with while seeking his first 1-2 finish on grass.

No Silent

Not that his form routing has been bad, but a case can be made for him being better off sprinting than routing; regardless, he's capable of a very sharp run on his best day and the third-place finisher from his latest race returned to win next out here on 12/28 going 6 1/2f over turf in a G3 with a 97 Beyer.

Regally Ready

Grade 1 winner has won 10 of 28 lifetime with more than $1 million in earnings, and he's won eight of 21 over turf, including three of five over this turf course; winner from latest won next out at GP on 12/7 going 1 1/16m over turf in a 125k stakes with a 92 Beyer and runner up won next out at TP on 12/21 going 1 1/16m in a 50k stakes with a 102 Beyer; must respect.

Boat Trip

He enters this race fresh off of a stakes win, a race that saw him beat today's rival No Silent, and he's a stakes winner over turf at today's distance; he's been in good form all year and going to look for him to give a solid account of himself once again today; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 12/28 going 6 1/2f over turf in a G3 with a 97 Beyer.

Bio Pro

Nicely bred turfer appears to be going better than ever at the age of six and he isn't showing any signs of slowing down as he gets ready to make the third start of his current form cycle; he ran well carrying today's weight two starts ago and Gutierrez knows him well. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Dulcemia

She has been value in the gimmicks a few times and that is where he strength may lie once again; lack of speed is there at times but she can only go :21 and big change if in the mood; may have to be hard used here to avoid getting shuffled; new bug, not my kind of play.

Corinthian Melody

Love fact she drilled farther than this race is carded; miss has speed but she s passed horses too; connections would love to see her start acting like top kin Harbor Fox, who took 10 of 33, banked over $200K; can't fault those that are a bit gun shy after the double chalk flop.

Rockin Cowgirl

Miss has been wintering in Phoenix and lighting it up there in the a.m.; without blinkers she goes :21 and change, could she show more with the shades?; may be Taylor made for a theft.

Sidebar

This miss is fresh and dangerous; she has natural speed and could show more with the blinks today; that s a pretty snappy move on the 24th for this barn; Pearl de Verz, the place horse, exited last race to take a MSW and the winner repeated in a $40K optional with an 82 Beyer; stakes placed 2 for 11 dam earned over $100K; this is her first to race; primed.

Silk in Silver

Solid debut when over 3 clear; SP 7 for 18 dam banked $125K; lone half sis to race Privately Speaking won only start in her Monmouth debut in a MSW going 5 furlongs in :59.03 with a 62 Beyer; she can run some.

Full's Dress Code

Fullbridled 2 for 18 with debuters; SP sire took 2 of 7, didn t run at 2, banked over $100K; dam was unraced; lone half bro to race took one of 10, earned over $60K; trainer does a solid job with limited starters.

Tres Osos

You have to put them where they belong in this game, hence the drop; dam out of the money thrice; this is her first to race; if this gal can run at all, she figures to show it here.

Shand

Key off the October debut and she must be left in the mix; drawn right, drills of late have been solid and she has been pretty consistent; can't be counted out.

Teacher Teacher

Miss had to be off for 14 months for a pretty serious reason; a bit more keen to run early in last but she still had to hail the taxi cab; backers can hang their hat on fact there are several multiple race winners in the tree including full sister, triple stakes winner and near $350K earner Tilde; due. - Brian Mulligan